The document discusses quality assurance issues in e-learning, highlighting the perception that online education is of inferior quality compared to traditional courses. It outlines key quality criteria across various aspects such as program design, student recruitment, staffing, teaching strategies, assessment methods, library services, administrative support, and coordination. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for robust technology infrastructure and effective communication to enhance the e-learning experience.

1. Quality Issues in eLearning
Greig Krull
eLearning and Technology Summit
16 October 2014
Indaba Hotel, Fourways

2. Context
Defined policies &
procedures to
ensure quality of
traditional courses…
Quality assurance often
afterthought to convert
existing courses for
online delivery…
eLearning has a
perception of being
inferior quality to
traditional learning
Dr Neil Clifton [CC-BY] http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2326197

3. Quality Assurance Process
Institutional Approval
Developer Self-Reflection
Peer Review
Subject Matter Expert Review
Technology Review
External Benchmarking

4. Quality Criteria
Programme Design
Student Recruitment and Admission
Staffing
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Assessment
Library Services
Administrative Services
Coordination
1
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5
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South African Council on Higher Education (2004)

5. 1. Programme Design
Economics student enrols for course
with only one 20 year old textbook
and is required download own
resources
• ICT is appropriate
• Include digital
resources
• Alternative online /
offline access
Browning [CC-BY-NC] https://www.flickr.com/photos/smichael/4563914649

6. 2. Student Recruitment and Admission
A Geography student only
finds out when she starts
the course that she needs
a laptop and needs to be
online at least an hour a
day
• Communicate
technology
requirements up front
• Consider cost and access
JISC CC-BY-NC-ND http://www.jisc.ac.uk/events

7. 3. Staffing
A Senior Professor asks the
secretary to go online and
print out assignments to mark
• Shift in mindset
• Professional Development
• Administrative & support staff
• Using technology for teaching

8. 4. Teaching & Learning Strategy
A student receives all
her materials on a
flash disk and is told to
go study and submit
the assignments end
of term
Image: Vanguard Visions [CC-BY]
• Orientation to technology
• Technical support
• Regular engagement and
interaction

9. 5. Assessment
Accounting students have
one online multiple
choice test that does not
count and a MCQ
examination that counts
100%
• Online submission, marking &
return processes
• Variety of e-assessment
• Reliability and security
• Regular formative assessment
• Feedback
Qperello [CC-BY] http://www.flickr.com/photos/albertogp123/5843577306/

10. 6. Library Services
Nursing student needs
access to a physical
textbook at the library
but student is working full
time
• Access to ICT outside of class
times
• Wider access to e-resources
• Develop information literacy
ParentingPatch [CC-BY-SA] http://www.flickr.com/photos/albertogp123/5843577306/

11. 7. Administrative
When 2000 first year
students try to submit
their assignments, the
LMS crashes
• Online Support Services
• Robust data systems
• Learning Analytics
Pimenta [CC-BY-SA] https://www.flickr.com/photos/guspim/2280690094/

12. 8. Coordination
A first year course
enrols 2000 students
but only employs 2
tutors
• Alignment to
organisational strategy
• ICT Budget
• Online Tutors
JuditK [CC-BY-ND] https://www.flickr.com/photos/juditk/8973427921/

13. Quality Criteria
Programme Design
Student Recruitment and Admission
Staffing
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Assessment
Library Services
Administrative Services
Coordination
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
South African Council on Higher Education (2004)

14. Platforms
Content
Curation
Polls /
Quizzes
Free / Open Source
Collabora-tion
Blog &
Microblog
Multi-media
Virtual
Meeting
Rooms
Sharing
Social
Networks
Learning Tools
Adapted from: Cavazza, Social Media Landscape [CC-BY-NC-SA]

15. ICT Infra-structure
&
applications
Connectivity /
Internet
Access
Course &
Materials
Develop
Change
Manage-ment
(Open)
Licencing of
Materials/
Resources
Quality
Assurance
Capacity
Building
Success Factors
In alignment with:
Vision / Mission
Strategic Plan

16. How do you ensure quality in your own
courses and materials?

17. Thank You!
greigk@saide.org.za
greigk_za
Greig Krull
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

18. References
• CHE (2014) Distance Higher Education Programmes in a Digital
Era: Good Practice Guide
• CHE (2004) Criteria for Programme Accreditation
• Saide (2014) Course Quality Evaluation Instrument